Jan 3, 2013

Philippines - China assures Philippines: Ship checks limited to coast

Allaying international concerns over China’s new maritime policing
policy in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), the Chinese
Foreign Ministry has clarified that interdiction powers or the possible
boarding of ships by Chinese authorities would be limited to “a narrow coast
zone”.

Chinese Foreign Ministry
spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a recent press briefing that the new rules
implemented by Hainan province on Tuesday would be limited to waters extending
only 12 nautical miles (22.2 km) from its coast, according to a Reuters report.

In a cautious response, the
Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it was seeking further
clarification of the new policing law as Hainan, the Chinese province closest
to the disputed Spratlys island chain, has claimed jurisdiction over contested
territories and waters.

“Was [China’s foreign minister]
referring to the coast of Hainan island or some other coasts over which Hainan
province considers it has jurisdiction?,” DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said,
in apparent reference to the contested territories over which China had earlier
declared jurisdiction.

In China’s press briefing, Hua
said: “What I want to stress is that these local rules were formulated by the
Hainan provincial government to strengthen border controls over the coast and
maritime management,” Hua said the policing law, announced by Chinese state
media in November, was geared strictly toward maintaining peace and order along
its coastal waters, an important international trading route.

The Philippines calls part of the
surrounding waters the West Philippine Sea to bolster its claims to isles and
rock formations within its exclusive economic zone.

China, on the other hand,
established Sansha City on one of the Spratly islands as a Hainan prefecture
last year to administer all of the Spratlys, a move that has drawn
international criticism. China also said it was planning to infuse US$1.6
billion in the city to build infrastructure, including air and sea ports.

Defusing tensions somewhat, Hua
said the new Hainan rule did not expand the scope of a 1999 regulation
stipulating limits to the enforcement powers of the local authorities.

“Their aim is to tackle crime at
sea and maintain peace on the seas. There is no change to the scope of how
these rules are used compared to the 1999 rules,” she said.

The DFA said it had asked China
for official clarification of Hainan’s new policing law soon after it was
announced in November, but the foreign office had yet to receive a response.

Tarra Quismundo

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Business & Investment OpportunitiesSaigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd (SBC) is incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Strategy, Investment and Management, focusing Health care and Life Science with expertise in ASEAN 's area.
We are currently changing the platform of www.yourvietnamexpert.com, if any request, please, contact directly Dr Christian SIODMAK, business strategist, owner and CEO of SBC at christian.siodmak@gmail.com. Many thanks.